Philips SPC520NC User manual

SPC520NC - SPC525NC
User manual

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Please check that the following items are packed in the Philips
SPC520NC/SPC525NC box.They are provided to help you set
up and use your Philips SPC520NC/SPC525NC.
Philips SPC520NC/ Installation CD-ROM Headset with
SPC525NC WebCam including manual headphone and
microphone
(SPC525NC only)
SPC 520 NC
InstallationCD v.1.00
9082 100 03367
What’s in the box?

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1 Digital microphone
For adding voice and sound when video chatting and video
recording.
2 Focus ring
For manually adjusting the focus of the image.
3 Clamp with rubber rims
For attaching the WebCam to your PC monitor or laptop
screen.
4 USB connector
For connecting the WebCam to the USB port of the laptop or
desktop PC.
The WebCam will derive its power from the laptop or desktop
PC when a USB connection is made.
5 Rotating foot
For manually changing the vertical angle of the WebCam.
6 Snapshot button
Enables you to take photos without using your mouse.
7 Power LED
Lights up red when the WebCam is in use.
8 Headset with headphone and microphone
(SPC525NC only)
For talking and listening to your meeting partner during video
chatting.
9 Audio cable (SPC525NC only)
Black headphone plug (n)- for connecting to the microphone
socket of the PC sound card.
Grey microphone plug (!) - for connecting to the headphone or
green socket of the PC sound card.
Legend of functions
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3 What’s in the box?
4 Legend of functions
5 Contents
6 Welcome
7 Things you should know
7 Safety precautions
7 Copyright
8 Installation
8 Installing the WebCam software
10 Connecting the WebCam to your PC / laptop
11 WebCam settings
11 General settings
12 Video settings
15 Audio settings
16 Features settings
17 Operating the WebCam
17 Selecting your WebCam
18 Capturing images / making video recordings
19 Instant messaging and Internet calling
(video chatting, video calling and V0IP)
20 Technical specifications
21 Important information
21 Disclaimer
21 FCC compliance
22 Environmental information
22 System requirements
22 Disclaimer of warranty
22 Limitations of damages
Contents

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The Philips SPC520NC/SPC525NC WebCam you have just
purchased is manufactured to the highest standards and will give
you years of trouble-free use. Brilliant images and blazing colors,
that's what you get with the SPC520NC/SPC525NC WebCam.
After installation, the new WebCam can be used for all sorts of
applications, such as:
•Video: use the Philips SPC520NC/SPC525NC WebCam for
video chatting and video calling.The WebCam works with
Skype,Windows®Live Messenger,Yahoo! Messenger,
AOL Messenger, QQ and other free instant messenging and
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services;
•Video e-mail / Video capture: create your own video
presentations, video mail, product demonstrations, training
videos, Internet clips etc.;
•Snapshot images: use images in presentations, create postcards,
or send them via e-mail.
•Editing and special effects: after recording the images you want
with the Philips SPC520NC/SPC525NC WebCam, the images
can be easily edited using image or video editing programs.
The following sections in this manual give a step-by-step
description of the installation process and explain how to use the
Philips SPC520NC/SPC525NC WebCam.
Welcome

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Please read the following instructions carefully, and retain them for
future reference. It may be helpful to have the instructions for use
for the PC at hand for reference.
Safety precautions
Observe the following guidelines to ensure that the WebCam will
operate safely and to prevent defects.
• Do not use your WebCam in environments outside the
following range: temperature: 0°C to 40°C, relative humidity:
45% ~ 85%.
• Do not use or store your WebCam in/under:
– direct sunlight exposure;
– very humid and dusty environment;
– near any kind of heat sources.
• If your WebCam gets wet, dry it with soft cloth as soon as
possible.
• If the lens is dirty, Do NOT touch the lens with your fingers.
• Clean the outside of the WebCam with a soft cloth.
• Do NOT use cleaning fluids based on alcohol, methylated spirit,
ammonia, etc.
• Do NOT attempt to disassemble or repair your WebCam by
yourself. Do not open the WebCam. In the event of technical
difficulties return it to your Philips retailer.
• Do NOT use your WebCam in the water.
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Protect the WebCam from oil, vapour, steam, moisture, and dust.
• Never point the WebCam lens at the sun.
Copyright
Copyright©2003 by Philips Consumer Electronics B.V. All rights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or translated
into any language or computer language, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual
or otherwise, without prior written permission from Philips.
Brands and product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
Things you should know

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Installation
Installing the WebCam software
The software supplied only works on PCs with the operating
systems Microsoft®Windows®, XP and Vista.
Notes!
– Unplug all your USB devices (except USB keyboard and
USB mouse) before you start.
– Do not plug in your WebCam yet. Run the Installation CD-ROM
first.
– Have your Windows®CD-ROM at hand.
1Place the installation CD-ROM in your PC’s / laptop’s
CD-ROM / DVD drive.
> After a couple of seconds the ‘Language selection’ screen
appears.
Note!
If the ‘Language selection’ screen does not appear automatically,
open the Microsoft®Windows®Explorer and double click on the
'Set-up.exe' icon in the CD-ROM directory.
2Select your language.
> Installation continues automatically.
> The ‘Welcome’ screen appears.
3Click ‘Next’ to continue.
> The ‘Manual’ screen appears.
4Select the first option if you wish to read the user manual
before continuing installation.You can print out the manual so
you will have it at hand during the rest of the installation
process.
After you read or printed the user manual, continue
installation by selecting the second option.

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Or:
Select the second option if you wish to continue installation.
Click ‘Next’ to continue.
> The ‘Installation’ screen appears.The items that can be installed
are shown on the left side of the screen.An explanation of each
item is given on the right side.
All items are already selected for installation.
5Click the 'Next' button if you wish to install all items.
Or:
If there are certain items you do not wish to install, check the
boxes before these items.
Select at least ‘SPC520NC WebCam Driver’ and ‘Philips
VLounge’ for SPC520NC WebCam as well as for SPC525NC
WebCam (software is the same for both WebCams). Click
the 'Next' button.
> The following software license agreement appears.
6Click on 'Yes' to continue the installation.
> The following screen appears when the installation was
successful.
7Select the user manual.
Or:
Click 'Next' to continue.
> The ’Reboot’ screen appears.
8Select ‘Yes’ to restart your PC / laptop.
> V(ideo)-Lounge desktop shortcut ‘’will be installed after
installation.
> Via VLounge you have access to all camera-related software. See
‘Operating the WebCam’.
9You can now connect your WebCam.
Installation

Connecting the WebCam to your PC /
laptop
1Be sure to run the installation CD first, before connecting the
WebCam to the PC / laptop.
2Turn on the PC / laptop.
3Connect the USB connector of the USB cable to the USB port
of the PC / laptop.
> The WebCam will now derive its power from the PC / laptop.
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Aim the webcam as required.
5 Push the USB cable into the cable management slot.
6Use the clamp and the two rubber rims to attach the WebCam
to your PC monitor or laptop screen.
7Connect the headset audio cable
(SPC525NC only) to the sound
card of your PC / laptop.
• Connect the black headphone plug (n) to the headphone
socket of the PC sound card.
• Connect the grey microphone plug (!) to the microphone or
green socket of the sound card.
Installation
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AUDIO OUTAUDIO IN
AUDIO OUT
AUDIO IN
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The Philips SPC520NC/SPC525NC video properties can be
changed:
- from within an application;
- by clicking the VProperty icon ‘’in the Windows taskbar,
bottom right of your screen;
- by selecting ‘PC Camera Settings’ under ‘Preferences’ in the
VLounge selection screen;
- by clicking the ‘ ’ icon in the VLounge selection screen.
General settings
1Flickerless image
The Flickerless image option should only be used under
flickering light conditions (e.g. fluorescent or neon lamps) to
prevent flickering or strangely colored video images.
If this option is used under normal lighting conditions the
video image may be overexposed.
2Region
If you are using the Philips SPC520NC/SPC525NC in Europe,
select '50 Hz' and if you are using the Philips
SPC520NC/SPC525NC in North America, select '60 Hz'. For
Asia this setting is dependent on the local mains output. E.g.
for China, select ‘50 Hz’ and for Taiwan, select ‘60 Hz’. For
Japan the setting is region dependent.
Please check your local mains output to find the correct
‘Region’ setting.
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WebCam settings EN
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Video settings
3Full automatic control: on/off
This full automatic control mode provides a very easy way to
get the best out of your Philips SPC520NC/SPC525NC
WebCam.
Or you can choose to have maximum manual control over
the WebCam settings by switching the full automatic control
mode off. Full automatic control 'on' is the preferred setting
for normal use.
Techniques active within full automatic control mode are:
– Automatic exposure control and automatic white balance
control, to provide the best video source signal possible;
– Automatic frame rate selection for improved WebCam
sensitivity in low light conditions.
4Frame rate
You can use the scroll open menu to set the frame rate of
the video you wish to capture. E.g. 30 fps means that the
WebCam will capture video at 30 frames per second.
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WebCam settings

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5Auto Exposure
The exposure is the amount of light received by the sensor
and is determined by how long the sensor is exposed to
capture a snapshot or video frame.The result depends on the
sensitivity of the sensor.The WebCam will find the optimal
setting if you select the automatic exposure option.
Shutter speed
The shutter speed determines how long the camera shutter
remains open as a picture is taken.The slower the shutter
speed, the longer the exposure time.The shutter speed
controls the total amount of light reaching the sensor.
Use the slider to set the desired shutter speed.
Gain
In video, gain is the amount of white in a video picture.
Use the slider to set the desired gain level.
6Reset
Press this button if you would like to reset the WebCam
settings to the default factory settings.
7Restore
Press this button if you would like to restore your personal
preferred settings.
8Save
Press this button if you would like to save your personal
preferred settings.
9Auto White Balance
Most light sources are not 100% pure white but have a
certain ‘color temperature’. Normally our eyes compensate
for lighting conditions with different color temperatures.
If the automatic white balance is selected, the WebCam will
look for a reference point which represents white. It will then
calculate all other colors based on this white point and
compensate the other colors accordingly, just like the human
eye.
You can also select fixed settings for ‘Indoor’,‘Outdoor’ and
‘Fluorescence’ conditions or use the ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ sliders if
you would like to set the WebCam according to your
personal color temperature preferences.
WebCam settings

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0Brightness
Brightness enables you to adjust the brightness of the
displayed image or video to suit your own preference.
Use the slider to find your preferred setting.
!Contrast
Contrast enables you to control the ratio between dark and
light according to your own preference.
Use the slider to find your preferred setting.
@Gamma
Gamma enables you to brighten dark areas within the
displayed image or video and visualize more details without
over-exposing already light areas.
Use the slider to find your preferred setting.
#Saturation
Saturation enables you to set the color reproduction from
black and white to a full color image or video according to
your own preference.
Use the slider to find your preferred setting.
$Black and white
The 'Black and white' checkbox is used to switch from color
images to black and white and back.
%Backlight compensation
Turn on the backlight compensation to improve the image
quality when you have a scene where the background has a
high illumination level (for instance when you are sitting in
front of a bright light).
^Mirror
Clicking the 'Mirror Image' checkbox flips the image
horizontally.You can use this feature when you want to use
the Philips SPC520NC/SPC525NC and monitor as a mirror,
or to take pictures of mirrored images.
WebCam settings

Audio settings
&Volume slider
This slider provides manual control over the microphone.
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WebCam settings EN
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Features settings
*Face tracking
If you enable the face tracking option the WebCam will track
your face.This will give your more convenience while video
chatting, because you don’t need to sit still during your video
conversation.
(Digital zoom
Use the digital zoom option to get an object closer.
Digital zoom magnifies the pixels but not the actual image.
It degrades image quality.
Use the slider to set the desired volume level.
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WebCam settings
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VLounge
All applications can be accessed via the Philips V(ideo)-Lounge
application.VLounge is the central application for easy access to
your Philips WebCam.
• Start VLounge:
- through the Windows QuickLaunch menu in your taskbar;
- via the program group ‘SPC520NC WebCam’;
- by clicking the VLounge icon ‘ ’ on the desktop.
> The VLounge application will now be initiated and the VLounge
selection screen appears.
Selecting your WebCam
When more than one WebCam is installed and connected to your
PC / laptop, you can select the WebCam you wish to operate.
1 Open the ‘Preferences’ menu.
2 Select ‘Video Device’.
> All WebCams connected are shown.
3 Select the WebCam you wish to operate.
4 Click the ‘OK’ button.
> The VLounge-selection screen for the selected WebCam appears.
Operating the WebCam EN
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Capturing images / making video recordings
In the ‘Capture’ menu you can capture images and make video
recordings and transfer, preview, edit, e-mail, print and organise
your photos and video recordings.
• Click the ‘Capture’ tab to open the Capture menu.
> The camera starts operating immediately.
• Click ‘IMAGE’ to capture an image.
• Click ‘VIDEO’ to start a video recording.
Click ‘VIDEO’ again to stop recording.
• Click ‘ ’ to maximize the lower part of the screen and
display the camera preview.
• Click ‘ ’ to maximize the upper part of the screen and
display your captured images and video recordings.
• Move your cursor onto a button to see a brief explanation of
the button function.
•If you need assistance select ‘Application Help’ in the
‘Help’ menu.
Operating the WebCam
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Instant messaging and Internet calling
(video chatting, video calling and VoIP)
The Philips SPC520NC/SPC525NC WebCam works with all free
instant messenging and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
applications such as Skype,Windows®Live Messenger,Yahoo!
Messenger, AOL Messenger and QQ.
1 Click the ‘Communicate’ tab to open the Communicate
menu.
> The available applications are shown by their icons.
2 Click the appropriate ‘Install’ button to download and install
an application.
3 Follow the on-screen instructions during downloading and
installing.
4 After installing an application, make the required WebCam
settings within the application in order to be able to properly
use the WebCam via the application.
5 Click the appropriate ‘Launch’ button to start an application.
Operating the WebCam

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Sensor....................................................................................VGA CMOS
Real video resolution (Max.)................................................640 x 480
Real still image resolution (Max.)........................................640 x 480
Interpolated still image resolution (Max.)...............................1.3 MP
Frames per second.........................................................................30 fps
F-number................................................................................................2.6
Lens view angle ......................................................................52 degrees
Minimum subject illumination..................................................< 10 lux
Data format............................................................................1420, IYUV
Interfacing...........................................................................................UVC
USB cable length..............................................................................1.5 m
Microphone ....................................................................- Digital built-in
- Multimedia headset supplied (SPC525NC)
Power..................................................................Supplied via USB cable
Voltage requirements................................................5V ( ), 0.5A
Technical specifications